Dail Independents

[Mr A]

Mypost is spot on there- there may be difficulty forming a stable government in the next Dail. Lots of independents and SF who the other parties don't want to touch. Long way to go yet though. The Reform Alliance may yet hoover up some of the independents if they actually go for it. Interesting times indeed.

[Macy]

Mypost is spot on there- there may be difficulty forming a stable government in the next Dail. Lots of independents and SF who the other parties don't want to touch. Long way to go yet though. The Reform Alliance may yet hoover up some of the independents if they actually go for it. Interesting times indeed.
FG and FF between them significantly below 50% of FPV - only option maybe a grand coalition of the former 2.5 parties.

No idea how the independent votes will translate into seats though - will a right wing reform alliance independent vote transfer to a left wing independent candidate?

It's ironic given all the accusations about broken promises, it's an issue that FG (at least) were very clear on in their manifesto that is causing the biggest issues. Their manifesto said that they wouldn't implement water charges without the formation of a single entity to control it. A bit different to how it's being presented now by the media and protesters. The Government does have a clear mandate on this issue!

[BonnieShels]

When has that ever mattered to the media or independents.

[mypost]

Mypost is spot on there- there may be difficulty forming a stable government in the next Dail. Lots of independents and SF who the other parties don't want to touch. Long way to go yet though. The Reform Alliance may yet hoover up some of the independents if they actually go for it. Interesting times indeed.

They would hoover up independents if they were a political party or even had a credible policy. Instead they don't seem to know what they are. Their only policy appears to be "Get yourself in the media and kick the government". It's about as groundbreaking as kicking an open door.

The Indies poll base has now entered the 60 seat plus category if a snap election was called. Try getting a government out of that!! Their policy appears to be "pay your water charge through your income tax as you do already, "franchise" Facebook, Dell, Microsoft and other FDI's based here, and impose a wealth tax on the rich. One of their disciples, Francis Holland, tried to impose wealth taxes on French millionaires after he got elected. It failed and he is the most unpopular President ever. If he couldn't succeed, what chance have Barrett, Collins, and Higgins got? While attempting to franchise O'Dell, and Mickosoft wouldn't see it past an aspirational manifesto.

Opposing austerity is as populist as you can get. But as it stands, they could very easily be kingmakers in 18 months. They better come up with something more practical than holding a few wild goose chase protests around the country by then, otherwise we could be back to the IMF with the bowl in no time.

[mypost]

As the economy stutters it's recovery, the independents have seen their popularity slip, and the government's increase.

They have a special documentary programme on RTE this evening dedicated to them, both past and present, and the contribution they have made in government and opposition.